Also see 2004 Update below Also see 2004 Update below
On September 16, 1999 the strongest typhoon to hit Hong Kong in
16 years, killed three people, injured almost 500 persons and wrecked 8,000
signboards. Among the 18,000 trees damaged or destroyed by Typhoon York
are four that I want to tell you about.
These large trees are in a row of five that have provided deep shade in the park near my home for decades. When four of five were pushed over by typhoon winds, I lamented their fall.
I studied the fallen giants as they lay uprooted. How shallow and limited their roots were compared to the size of their branches and greenery! No wonder they fell over. It was very sad. The park was much poorer for their loss. Gone was the valuable deep shade and protection they provided for the who regularly sat underneath. New trees would take decades to grow.
While the Hong Kong government did a wonderful job clearing trees which blocked roads, these trees in the park lay there for almost a week, the areas where they had fallen was cordoned off. It didn't look much like the department responsible for these trees was doing its job efficiently. But it turned out that I didn't understand much of anything.
The following evening when I passed by the park, I stopped in my tracks with my mouth open. An enormous crane had been moved alongside the park. A small backhoe was parked nearby. An entire truck of dirt had been deposited nearby. Someone was going to a great deal of trouble and expense to restore these trees. Two of them were already standing erect. But they stood stripped, with the shocking appearance of skeletons. Their huge limbs had been sawn off, leaving only a few suckers, each bearing a handful of battered leaves and a hope of photosynthesis. Over the next two days the other trees were similarly restored after having all their branches amputated. As I stood gaping, I realized that I didn't know much about trees...and that the Lord had something to say.
When people or ministries fall, their weaknesses lie exposed for every passerby to see. Oh, you say, look at that weakness — no wonder they fell. You lament the loss of what they provided. But I am the gardener, and to me each tree is of great value. I know the heart of each tree; I can see the inner condition, for I look on the heart.
When people or ministries fall, don't think they cannot be restored. When you pass by and comment that their fall is due to their shallow roots or some other defect, you reveal only your own lack of understanding of my ways and purposes. Sometimes falls are due more to the strength of the storm than the defects of the tree.
Restoration is time-consuming and costly not only to the gardener but also to the tree. To be successfully restored, everything must be stripped away. All the branches that provided such shade and fruit must be lopped off. The resulting appearance is shocking. The tree now stands stripped, supported now by wires, looking ugly and useless. But even in this condition, it will be able to stand in greater storms. In time the tree will grow new branches, and its roots will go down and find their grip once again. And it will be more fruitful.
We live in a day when many people and ministries have fallen. The roots of their problems lying exposed for everyone passing by to see. But the Lord knows which trees are of sound heart. These are of great value to him, and he will go to no end of trouble and expense to see them restored.
Romans 14:4 Who are you to judge someone else's servant? To his own master he stands or falls. And he will stand, for the Lord is able to make him stand.
1 Samuel 16:7 - The LORD does not look at the things man looks at. Man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart
2Chr.16:9 - For the eyes of the LORD range throughout the earth to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to him.
At this time Lord is also stripping many ministries and individuals of much that has been fruitful and beneficial. Many recognize this work of the Lord and are cooperating with him in it, even though it is very painful. All these lovely green branches under which so many found shade, rest and benefit are being sacrificed:
1. to prepare for a great increase in warfare
2. to enable them to stand in even the greatest storms.
3. so that they will produce even more fruit.
John 15:2 He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit,
while every branch that does :bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even
more fruitful. 3 You are already clean because of the word I have
spoken to you. 4 Remain in me, and I will remain in you. No branch
can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear
fruit unless you remain in me.
5 I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and
I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.
6 If anyone does not remain in me, he is like a branch that is thrown away
and withers; such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire and burned.
7 If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish,
and it will be given you. 8 This is to my Father's glory, that you
bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples
Ezek 36:33-36 "Thus says the Lord GOD, "On the day that I cleanse you from all your iniquities, I will cause the cities to be inhabited, and the waste places will be rebuilt. 34 "The desolate land will be cultivated instead of being a desolation in the sight of everyone who passes by. 35 "They will say, "This desolate land has become like the garden of Eden; and the waste, desolate and ruined cities are fortified and inhabited.' 36 "Then the nations that are left round about you will know that I, the LORD, have rebuilt the ruined places and planted that which was desolate; I, the LORD, have spoken and will do it." (NASU)
2 Tim 2:10-13 For this reason I endure all things for the sake of those who are chosen, so that they also may obtain the salvation which is in Christ Jesus and with it eternal glory.
11 It is a trustworthy statement:
For if we died with Him, we will also live with Him;
12 If we endure, we will also reign with Him;
If we deny Him, He also will deny us;
13 If we are faithless, He remains faithful, for He cannot deny Himself.
(NASU)
Mare Allison
Hong Kong